Tag: GAMING

LG Optimus L3 II Dual Full Review

Build Quality And Hardware

At just 102mm long and 61mm wide, the LG Optimus L3 II Dual is a really snug fit for anybody’s hand. It is made up entirely of plastic and has a glossy black finish both at the front and the back, which we feel makes it very scratch and smudge prone.

The overall design of the phone is really well, bland, to be honest. It has rounded corners, and a grey bezel runs around the phone. Under the 3.2-inch display there are 4 touch capacitive buttons, namely back, home, menu and a SIM switch button.

At the top you have your power button along with a headphone jack, a microphone and Micro-USB port at the bottom, and your volume rocker towards the left.

Remove the back cover of the LG Optimus L3 II Dual and you’ll see the battery, below which, there are two SIM cad slots. Also, the micro-SD card slot is located to the left of the battery compartment, which in our opinion is a bit flawed as you’ll have to remove the battery cover every time, if you wish to take out your micro-SD card. Also, you really have to wrestle the phone to get the back cover off.

Build quality though is solid, but the lack of thought put into the design leaves us slightly disappointed.

Specifications And Hardware

LG Optimus L3 II Dual is a dual-SIM smartphone that comes with 3.2-inch QVGA IPS display. It houses a 1,540mAh battery. It is powered by a 1GHz single core processor with 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and a 3-megapixel camera.

The device runs on Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) out of the box and connectivity options include 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth and aGPS. There is a 3-megapixel rear fixed focus camera on the smartphone.

Display And Multimedia

LG Optimus L3 II Dual has a 3.2-inch screen that has a resolution of 240×320 pixels. Thus, the screen has a low, 125 ppi pixel density, which leads to unclear text and obvious difficulty while browsing. The screen has a high contrast and decent brightness though. As it is an IPS display, the viewing angles are pretty good and outdoor visibility is one of the best in this segment.

Now we obviously wouldn’t expect a stellar screen from a device of this segment, but we did expect better in terms of the pixel count.

Video experience on the device is hampered by the screen size and resolution, and so is gaming. So if these are your major criteria while choosing a phone, we suggest you give this one a miss.

Audio on the LG Optimus L3 II Dual is nice and loud. We were really satisfied with the quality of the sound.

The phone can connect to the internet, using 2G, 3G or Wi-Fi, with a maximum download speed of 3.6 Mbps on 3G. The web browsing capability on the LG Optimus L3 II Dual is dire, yes, dire. Pages take loads of time to load up, pinch to zoom is very choppy and laggy as well and it isn’t the best in this segment and also, the low-res screen makes it difficult to read online content.

Software And UI

The LG Optimus L3 II Dual comes loaded with Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) along with, as expected, LG’s Optimus 3.0 UI. Apps like Gallery and Music have been given a makeover by LG, and we were happy that LG paid attention to such small details when it came to the software on the phone. It gets the same lock screen transition and other animations that some of it bigger siblings get.

You have 5 lock screens along with various themes to choose from. The drop down windows has a set of toggles on the top, which can be customised and adjusted according to your needs. The lock screen too can be customised by using various shortcuts and clock/calender widgets.

The LG Optimus L3 II also comes pre-loaded with some of LG’s custom applications like the QuickMemo app that lets users scribble notes on a blank page or on top of a screen shot. Others include ones for Backup, Cell Broadcast, File Manager, a Memo app, Polaris Viewer, LG’s service related apps, SmartWorld, and a Task Manager.

Safe to say, this phone has one of the best software detailing in this segment. Well done LG.

Camera

The LG Optimus L3 II Dual comes with a 3.2 megapixel fixed focus camera without flash which in our opinion is a bit substandard and the image quality is average at best. Even with such a low quality camera, you have 3 shooting modes to choose from- Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Sunset and Night modes, along with settings for ISO, White Balance, Colour effects, and exposure.

Sample Shots :

Pictures were hazy, and grainy. In low-light conditions, images are barely visible. Likewise, videos can be recorded as QVGA videos. Not good enough by any means.

Phone, Messaging and Network

The dialer is nice and easy and like any other android phone cleverly integrates contacts and groups.

Call clarity was decent throughout our use, with neither us nor those on the other end of the line having any issues being heard. We had no dropped calls either. The phone is a dual-SIM GSM phone with support for one active and the other in standby mode.

The keyboard is fairly accurate and responsive. The keyboard works well in both landscape and portrait mode and the biggest surprise of all, it also has handwriting recognition! The handwriting recognition feature is as accurate as we’ve seen on any device. Impressive.

Conclusion

We’re not sure what LG was aiming for with the LG Optimus L3 II Dual. It lacks a USP. The only impressive feature of this device, and a big one that too, is the attention paid to the software aspect of this device. The custom apps, handwriting recognition etc. puts this device head and shoulders above the competition in this segment as far as software is concerned.

In contrast to that, the hardware of the phone is powered by seems dated and below this price point. Phones like the Micromax Canvas A110 offer way better specs at just a few 100 rupees more.

June 14, 2013
Apple Debuts Game Controller APIs In iOS 7, Will Support Third Party Controllers

Physical controllers for iPhones and iPads have long been left to the ThinkGeeks and the Kickstarter projects, due to the lack of support. But that’s going to change with iOS 7.

Playing traditional console style games on a touchscreen has always been difficult, especially when the developer has not tailored their game enough to a touchscreen. Now gamers do not have to worry about that problem if their favorite games support Apple’s game controllers API.

A slide (pictured below) indicated that the iOS 7 SDK would support MFi game controllers, a reference to Apple’s licensing program for third-party hardware add-ons.

TouchArcade points to a vague guide that Apple posted to its developer site yesterday that has basic guidelines on how game controllers should be used.

The one on at the top looks like your typical iPhone game controller, with a large opening in the center that allows you to view your handset’s display. And the one right below is obviously more of your standard, standalone-type gamepad.

Game Center will also get a visual overhaul with the latest update to Apple’s iconic mobile operating system, iOS 7, it was revealed during WWDC today. Apple aims to curb cheating through more secure game scores and support for ranking-style leaderboards. It’s also added a new Sprite Kit tool to help developers create games

[Via, Via]

June 12, 2013
Gionee Gpad G2 Full Review

Build Quality And Design

The phone is aesthetically pleasing and looks quite similar to the Micromax Canvas Doodle from the front. A massive 5.3-inch qHD display dominates the front of the device with three touch capacitive buttons underneath it. The phone, as expected, is made up entirely of plastic, with a chrome-like bezel running around the side of the device. There is a volume rocker on the right side which offers decent tactile feedback.

The back panel has a glossy finish, and we feel that it might be prone to scratches. Other than the camera, there is a speaker grill on the bottom right corner of the back panel, and the Gionee logo in the middle. Though one thing to note is that the G2 is quite heavy and prolonged usage might become uncomfortable for some.

Overall the build quality is impressive and the Gionee Gpad G2 has a nice solid feel to it.

Specifications And Hardware

The Gionee GPad G2 is powered by 1.2GHz quad-core processor along with PowerVR SGX544 GPU. Internally, the phablet packs in a 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, which can be expanded by another 32GB via a microSD card.

It is a dual-SIM phablet, which supports GSM on both the SIMs. The other connectivity options include 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and aGPS.

The Gionee GPad G2 has an impressive 5.3 inch IPS display with qHD (540 x 960 pixel) resolution display which translates to 240ppi.

Display And Multimedia

The screen of the Gionee Gpad G2 is really impressive, viewing angles are decent and colour reproduction is vivid and deep. A 240 pixel density makes for fairly crisp text as well. While there are no complaints with things like video playback, reading text and watching movies, outdoor visibility is poor due to the highly reflective screen. That is one are where Gionee could have done better.

Gaming is wonderful on this phone! We were able to play games like Virtual Tennis and Dead Trigger without any issues, but we did encounter some choppiness and lag while playing The Dark Knight Rises (expected!).

[youtube id=”3IamEzuu1oc” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

Audio on the Gione Gpad G2 is loud. Very loud. While that may seem like a good thing, and it is to an extent, it leads to vibration of the phone on high volumes. This can be very irritating, especially while playing games which involve lots of sound effects.

The in-built browser is decent enough, with all the standard options available. There is a slight choppiness to its kinetic scrolling though.

Software And User Interface

The Gionee Gpad G2 runs on Android 4.1.2 with slight modifications to the User Interface. You have a themes option from where you can select the skin that is applied, including an “Android Theme”.

It has a few extra apps like Change, which enable single click change of themes and wallpapers.

Phone and Networks

The phone call capability of the Gionee Gpad G2 is good, networks are solid and Phone calls are stable. The dialler is the standard Android dialler, the one seen on Nexus devices.

Messaging is also a breeze thanks to the responsive touchscreen and the way keys are laid out. You can swap out the keyboard with some alternatives from the Android marketplace, we even tried swype and it works great.

Camera

The Gionee Gpad G2 comes with an 8 megapixel camera at the back with single LED flash with features like face detection, auto-focus etc.

Images though seem a little dull and grainy. Outdoor images come out really well, with nice focus and background blur in macro shots. Indoor and low light images are nothing special.

Video quality was decent, with nice continuous focus and occasional over-exposure our only concern.

Sample Shots :

Performance

Under the hood, the Gionee Gpad G2 runs on 1.2GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6589 processor along with PowerVR SGX544 GPU. While there were occasional lags while navigating through menus, the overall performance was quite satisfying.

One thing to note though that occasionally the screen went blank and a Blackberry style battery pull was required to make it work again. We hope that was just an issue with our device.

It scored an impressive 12,890 in AnTuTu and 3892 in Quadrant.

Conclusion

While everyone is sceptical when it comes to the quality of Chinese manufacturers, we were really pleased with the Gionee Gpad G2. It is fast, snappy and feature loaded. An average camera and occasional lagging are the only disadvantages of the device.

Overall, we would recommend the Gionee Gpad G2 to anybody who wants a feature loaded budget phablet with a nice screen.

June 10, 2013
Google MyGlass App Leak Reveals Multiplayer Gaming In Upcoming Android

A teardown of the MyGlass Google Glass companion app reveals that Google may have plans for a gaming service similar to Apple’s Game Center.

Android Police discovered the complete feature list for a gaming service when tearing down the MyGlass application that will accompany the Google Glass AR specs.

According to the website, Google usually ships apps with a few Google-powered components that some apps depend on to work but Google accidentally shipped all of them, even though the service has no connection with Google Glass.

The underground Games service will feature support for real-time multiplayer games allowing users to play games with other connected players, as per the website. It would also apparently support turn-based multiplayer games such as board games where players take chances to play, and the teardown reveals that users will also get notifications when it’s their turn.

Users would also be able to chat with other players within the game in real-time multiplayer mode, in addition to offering leader boards and allowing users to keep a track of achievements.

The game service will bring in the ability to invite friends and will come with a ‘Lobbies’ feature through which users will be able to chat before a game begins, plan strategies, rules, and choose teams.

If Google could create their own gaming service for Android and include some killer features, it could look much more attractive than iOS’s gaming offerings.

Android Police has concluded that this gaming service is nearly finished, speculating that we might be able to learn more about it during Google I/O.

[Android Police, SlashGear]

April 19, 2013
Rumoured Apple Game Controller May Just Turn Out To Be Legit

Pocketgamer today says it has heard word from mobile game developers that Apple has been operating secret meetings at GDC discussing a game controller.

Long rumoured – and hoped for – GDC 2013 has finally provided confirmation that Apple will release its own dedicated game controller. Of course, there’s no official word yet, but Apple has been active during the conference talking to developers about its plans and ensuring plenty of games will support the joypad at launch.It’s been operating a meeting room at the show, albeit booked under a pseudonym company name to avoid media attention.However, speaking anonymously, multiple developer sources have confirmed the news to PocketGamer.biz

Should Apple’s rumored controller be unveiled alongside an updated Apple TV, such an event would largely confirm earlier rumors that Apple was preparing to make a push to turn its “hobby” into a much bigger pillar within the company. Those rumors had Apple revealing a standard development kit (SDK) and possibly opening the App Store for operation on its set-top box, two elements that would likely be necessary were Apple to release a controller for iOS/Apple TV gaming.

Apple’s iOS devices have in short time become a major platform for game development, with games from previously unknown developers going on to sell in the millions of copies. The touchscreen form factor of the devices, though, has to some extent kept them from functioning as serious, dedicated gaming platforms.

Some major developers have introduced ports of successful titles for Apple’s devices, specially crafted to suit the touchscreen. These titles, though, tend to be from a limited range of game genres.

In the site’s 2012 review of the 3rd generation iPad, AnandTech’s Anand Lal Shimpi and Vivek Gowri let slip a tantalizing tidbit when discussing the iPad’s faculty as a gaming machine: ”I know of an internal Apple project to bring a physical controller to market, but whether or not it will ever see the light of day remains to be seen,” the review reads.

Apple has been filing patents related to gaming devices for quite some time now.

What’s more Apple has been seen bulking itself up with patents that relate to a potential gaming push for at least a few years now.

Update :

It wasn’t long before the unofficial oracle of Apple, Jim Dalrymple of loopinsight.com rained on everyone’s parade. At 1:19 PM today, he posted one of his terse responses in regards to the rumors of an Apple gamepad. The one word assassin “Nope.” Considering that he is well know to have reliable sources within Apple, and that he had an impeccable track record when it comes to rumors, that’s pretty much that.

[Tech Crunch. Pocket Gamer]

March 30, 2013
Rumour : Microsoft Readying A 7-inch Xbox Surface Gaming Tablet?

Microsoft is expected to release a 7-inch gaming-focused Xbox Surface tablet in the future, according to The Verge. Back in June, we heard rumours that Microsoft would be releasing something called a Xbox Surface tablet, but that unsubstantiated info took a back seat to the actual Surface tablet announcement later that day.

Since then Microsoft hasn’t commented on the smaller version of its tablet series, focusing instead on the 10.6-inch Surface RT and upcoming Surface Pro devices. But if you cast your mind back to that warm day in June, the Xbox Surface was on tap to sport a 7-inch 1280×720 pixel screen, a custom ARM processor and speedy graphics chip. The Verge posits that the tablet won’t run a full version of Windows 8, but like Windows Phone 8 will have a kernel based on the real thing, just tuned for gaming. You can count on a massive graphics chip and multiplayer functionality, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the Kinect brand makes an appearance in the product’s marketing.

Considering the original Surface was one of the best-kept secrets in the industry, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Microsoft maintain a couple surprises of its own before the device is officially announced. When that will be is still up in the air, so stay tuned for more.

November 7, 2012
Sony launches new slimmer PlayStation 3 2012 (PR)
Sony has launched a newer thinner version of the Playstation 3 in both black and white versions, available in 250GB and 500GB models.
- “Charcoal black” option has a September 25th launch date and a $269.99 price tag
- “Classic white” model arrives on November 22
- 500GB, charcoal-only option will be available on October 30th
Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House introduced the new model, calling it 50 percent smaller than the original (rather large) PS3, and 25 percent smaller than the previous slimmed-down version.

Since the launch of PS3 in November 2006, the number of BD-based titles has reached more than 3,300 titles and more than 4,100*7 downloadable PS3 games are available worldwide.

[toggle_box title=”Press Release” width=”Width of toggle box”]

New Smaller And Lighter PlayStation®3 To Hit The Worldwide Market

TOKYO, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that a new PlayStation®3(PS3®) computer entertainment system (body color: charcoal black / classic white*1), featuring a new design and a downsized form factor, will become available worldwide this holiday season. The new PS3 will come in 3 models including extended built in Hard Disk Drive (HDD) capacity of 500GB model and 250GB model, and a newly added 12GB flash memory model initially for Europe only. Availability of models, prices and launch dates of the new PS3 system in each region are as follows.

Thanks to a complete redesign of the internal architecture, the volume and weight of the new PS3 has been reduced by more than half compared to the very first PS3 model with a 60GB HDD, and by 20% and 25% respectively compared to the current PS3. By adopting a sliding disk cover, the new PS3 continues with the characteristic sleek curved body design, which fits various places in the home and enables users to enjoy an array of entertainment content.

With the extra HDD capacity which has been extended from 320GB and 160GB, users can store and enjoy more and more entertainment content including games, music, photos, and video on the new PS3. In addition, the new PS3 with 12GB flash memory offers opportunities to experience the world of PlayStation® at an affordable price point. Users can also expand the storage capacity of the 12GB flash memory PS3 by connecting a dedicated HDD (250GB) to be released concurrently with the new model5. In addition, a variety of accessories will be introduced by SCE to meet various kinds of needs from users including a vertical stand that offers more flexibility in how the new PS3 can be displayed*6.

Since the launch of PS3 in November 2006, the number of BD-based titles has reached more than 3,300 titles and more than 4,100*7 downloadable PS3 games are available worldwide, thanks to support from a broad range of third party developers and publishers. In addition to this extensive software title line-up, exciting and attractive new titles are to be released from third party developers and publishers as well as SCE Worldwide Studios, including Assassin’s Creed III (Ubisoft Entertainment.), Call of Duty Black Ops 2 (Activision Publishing, Inc.), Madden NFL 13 (Electronic Arts Inc.), PlayStation® All-Stars Battle Royale, LittleBigPlanet Karting, God of War: Ascension (Sony Computer Entertainment), and more.

SCE will further accelerate the expansion of the PS3 platform which is in the 7th year of its lifecycle, by continually releasing a vast library of exciting and attractive software titles and offering users a choice from a variety of hardware models.

*1 The new PS3 in classic white will become available in Japan from November. Other regions and countries will follow this
*2 Only PS3 system bundled with software title will become available.
*3 Prices will vary by country across Europe.
*4 PS3 with flash memory 12GB will be sold in Europe and Hong Kong
*5 When using dedicated HDD, flash memory cannot be used as inner storage
*6 Users will need to use the separately sold “Vertical Stand” to set the new PS3 in vertical position.
*7 Includes PS one® classics and free of charge content (downloadable demos).

[/toggle_box]
September 19, 2012
Nintendo Says Wii U Will Launch On November 18

Nintendo’s upcoming Wii U gaming console will start at $300 and go on sale in the U.S. on Nov. 18, in time for the holidays, the company said Thursday.

A “deluxe” version will sell for $350. It will be black instead of white and include extra features such as more memory, a charging stand and the game “Nintendo Land.”

Nintendo Co. has been trying to drum up excitement for the Wii U, which is the first major gaming console to launch since 2006. The device has a touch-screen controller called the Wii U GamePad. It also plays games made for the original Wii.

Nintendo said the latest game in its wildly popular Mario franchise, “New Super Mario Bros. U,” will be available when the new console launches. It will include new ways to play that use the GamePad. It will also offer new challenges for advanced Mario players, such as trying to complete a level without touching the ground. “Mario” and other classic games have long been Nintendo’s main draw.

The company also announced new entertainment features for the console. Called “Nintendo TVii,” the service collects all the ways users have to watch movies, TV shows and sports. This includes pay-TV accounts along with services such as Hulu and Netflix. The GamePad works as a fancy remote controller and will let viewers browse shows they can watch.

TVii “brings all of your services to one place,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America.

So if you like the TV show “Modern Family,” for example, it will pull in the show’s episodes from every available source.

[Washington Post]

September 13, 2012
Crytek releases CryEngine 3 Tech Trailer for Crysis 3

Today Crytek released a trailer that serves as a preview of Crysis 3‘s graphics and the capabilities of their proprietary tech CryEngine 3. It’s pretty much porn for you video game artists out there.

The in-game footage is probably from a high-end PC. While the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Crysis 3 will be easy on the eyes, it seems unlikely they’d be capable of this level of quality. Look at it as a preview of next-gen consoles’ potential, I guess.

Tesselated vegetations, displacement mapping and real-time volumetric cloud shadows are among the features touted in the trailer. I understand about half of those words. The video seems to be targeted at fellow developers. Fortunately purty graphics are easy to decode even if the tech jargon isn’t.

Crysis 3 is due in February of next year.

August 11, 2012
Rumor: Screenshot for New Prince of Persia Game Leaked

It’s been difficult for the Prince to make his way back into the spotlight over the past few years, and that’s mostly because Ubisoft has another nimble, cloaked mascot who’s been cleaning up at retail. While Assassin’s Creed has been the focus for the French gaming company, an image spotted on the Ubisoft message boards now points to a possible new entry in the Prince of Persia franchise.

What evidence do we currently have? Well, down at the bottom, POP_ZERO_2 is visible. Prince of Persia Zero was the codename for a 2010 reboot that never quite got off the ground, so it’s possible that this could be the second attempt. The setting and protagonist aren’t exactly familiar, but this may be in an attempt to differentiate what’s currently a franchise in need of some life.

An image that in many ways matches the tone of this screenshot was released before E3, so there may be some serious validity to the forum post. Whatever it is, it looks interesting, and we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for any more information.

Source : StickSkills

August 6, 2012
Thermaltake intros Gaming Mouse with a fan!

The Black Element Cyclone Edition gaming mouse from Thermaltake has been designed for those long gaming sessions.

A 6,000 rpm rotor directed right at the point where your fingers sit on the mouse buttons. Priced at US $80 (IN Rs. 4000). The patent pending design promises to keep noise down to a sub-environmental 21.7dB, while delivering an airflow of 2.6 cubic feet per minute —

The fan can alternatively be removed, and the mouse comes standard with a 6,500 dpi laser sensor, an adjustable weight of up to 22.5 grams and a “military-grade” grip coating.

July 31, 2012
A gigantic 160″ curved screen to address all of your gaming needs!

Taking the F1 simulator racing experience to an altogether different level, a Sweden-based manufacturer of large curved screen solutions for front and rear projection, called Norman Design has come up with portable and gigantic 160” curved screen solution for customers who use screen for F1 training.

This exclusively new 160” screen solution is the latest from the house of Norman Design, and has been especially built for customers who use screen for Formula 1 training. It comes complete with F1 body which is also movable in all directions to 1.5 G with the F1 game. The company provides the complete F1 simulator solution at a cost price of about $114,285. However, 160” screen solution for enjoying the seamless image quality can also be purchased without a simulator with Intel 17-PC and software.

Weighing only 50 kg, the 160” screen solution takes only about 1 hour to assemble. And, PC with special software is also required for reproducing the image from the seamless multi projector which is mounted behind.

Also, the company provides a complete simulator with velved 63” monitor with PC and software at a reasonable price of about $14,300. And, for the simulator with inclined 50” screen solution, the company only charges $5,430.

July 16, 2012
Nintendo unveils Wii U along with 23 new games

The Wii U is the first Wii device to sport it's own screen.

Gaming giants Nintendo unveiled the launch version of their new family gaming device, the Wii U. Presenting the device at the Nokia centre at the E3 gaming event, Nintendo was light on details about the insides of the device, and chose to focus more on the game titles it’ll be bringing out this year for the console.

The Wii U has seen a massive change from what was showcased last year and is now a tablet styled device which comes with a bunch of buttons, including 2 analog sticks on both sides, a stylus and a camera on top of the device for both gaming applications and video chat! This is the first Wii device to sport a dedicated screen.

[quote]Game machines had to be connected to the TV. They couldn’t have a more important role than the TV. We decided our next system would have its own dedicated screen … and make it the first screen people go to when they go to the living room. With the Wii U gamepad we have the first dedicated personal screen in the long history of videogames said game designer and producer Shigeru Miyamoto.[/quote]

Shigeru Miyamoto at the presentation.

Apart from that, Nintendo announced 23 new game titles and by releasing some “hardcore games” made it evident that they were ready to make the Wii console a bit more mature as far as the games were concerned. News that the titles – including Batman Arkham City: Armored Edition; Aliens: Colonial Marines; Mass Effect 3; Assassin’s Creed 3 and ZombiU – are under development will help their appeal. Casual gaming titles like Mario, Wii Fit and Picmin 3 also make their way back into the device.

Nintendo also promoted the integration of its Miiverse social network, allowing a user’s friends to pass on tips or boast of their recent scores while play continued.

June 6, 2012
Microsoft at E3! Revamped games, Xbox Music and SmartGlass announced

For the past 5 years, Microsoft has been the star at E3 gaming event. Hence, it was only natural to think that they wouldn’t disappoint this year either. Oh, we were mistaken. The lack of a big surprise and a relative dearth of brand new titles stopped this from being a great conference. Even Usher couldn’t bring the crowd off their seats.

The event started out with a loud and action-filled (obviously) trailer of Halo 4, which was followed by Don A. Mattrick, President of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft taking over the stage and announcing “We’re on a mission to make entertainment even more amazing”. How we wish.

Halo 5!

Cut to footage of Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Ubisoft Toronto’s first announced title, developed under the stewardship of Jade Raymond. Seems Splinter Cell has morphed into a cross between Ghost Recon and Black Ops. However, an interesting feature was the use of the Kinect Mic to attract the attention of your enemies.

Andrew Wilson, Head of EA SPORTS at Electronic Arts, took to the stage and announced that Kinect support will be coming to Madden 13 and FIFA 13. A Video showed players making subsititutions and adjustments to team formation by shouting at Kinect, just like a real manager probably. Though I’m not sure my neighbor wants to hear me yelling “get Mario off the pitch he’s a liability!”

Microsoft then turned their attention to their first party franchises. Fable The Journey had a brief trailer. Seems like last year’s lukewarm reception to the game made an impact, it looks much better. However, that was only in terms of visuals, with no gameplay showed, so quite how the game has developed in the past 12 months remains a mystery. In a quickfire volley of trailers, Gears of War Judgment got its first airing, apparently casting Baird in the lead role which came as a shock as nobody quite liked Baird. Again, no gameplay but it will be interesting to see how new developer People Can Fly (Bulletstorm) bring their unique attitude to shooters, and how they can make Baird less of a jerk. Forza Horizon and a whopping dollop of dubstep rounded out the trailer, taking the detailed visuals and handling of Forza and transplanting it into open road racing and motor festivals. Resident Evil 6 and Tomb Raider too made blink and you miss appearances.

What turned out to be the most interesting announcement of the event was the announcement of Xbox Music and SmartGlass. Microsoft revealed the details of the two concepts at their pre-E3 press conference. Xbox Music will go up against popular music streaming services like Spotify, Apple’s iTunes etc. to bring music to your Xbox console as well as Windows tablets and smartphones. There was no indication of the release date, but Microsoft insisted that while Xbox Music will replace their not-so-successful Zune, it will be more than a simple revamp of that application. The teaser video showed users being able to queue up music and share what they are listening to with friends, much in the same way Spotify does. However, Microsoft said that the unique features for the service will be detailed in the coming weeks.

Xbox Music is aimed at challenging Spotify and iTunes.

Xbox SmartGlass allows users to interact with their Xbox console and television screen using their tablet computers –including Apple’s iPad– and smartphones. The concepts on display included being able to watch a movie on your tablet computer and then transfer it directly to your Xbox and television to pick up where you left off. Interestingly, while you are watching a television show or playing a game on your television with Xbox SmartGlass enabled on your tablet device, the two screens will interact with each other in different ways. For games, there was a concept demo of a player of American football game Madden 13 choosing plays on their tablet while playing the main game on the television, and a concept for FPS Halo where the player could examine weaponry and interact with friends over the Xbox Live service on their tablet. This seems similar to Nintendo’s Wii U console, which comes with a tablet style controller. Microsoft also revealed that Internet Explorer would be making it’s way into Xbox and would be compatible with Kinect and SmartGlass.

The SmartGlass enables your tablets and smartphones to interact with your TV.

The show was rounded off by a Call of Duty Black Ops II trailer which nearly brought the whole center down by sheer volume. It showcased some interesting gadgets, with the player controlling a small drone to wipe out enemies and a sniper rifle that can see through walls. It was classic Call of Duty gameplay, though the near future twist and vehicles add flavour to this most ubiquitous of series.

June 5, 2012
Crysis 3 teaser-trailer almost makes you weep : Video

Electronic Arts and Crytek announced the highly anticipated sequel of the Crysis franchise earlier last week, and the companies have now released the first Crysis 3 teaser. The new version has a new defined engine that will have more intense graphics and a better standard for the usual questions “Will it play Crysis 3?”.

Crysis 3 is a thrilling mix of sandbox gameplay, advanced combat and hi-tech human and alien weaponry that shooter fans will love, Leveraging the latest CryENGINE technology, we’re able to deliver seven unique themes that offer stunning and visually loaded gameplay experiences. We cannot wait until people get their hands on the game.”

Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli said in a statement

April 23, 2012